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Newbreed Rack 2.0


newbreed

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So, it's been a long time coming but Rack 2.0 is almost ready to roll.

The original eight 40cm cubes were picked up in April this year. Made by Justin at Subscape Aquarium.

Each cube came with cover glass and one hole pre-drilled.

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So I once again went with the Rack-it system from Bunnings.

900mm beams, three 40cm uprights.

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Also spent my time gathering the plumbing fittings and accessories. Was easier getting small amounts staggered over weeks than at one time. Was easier to stretch the dollars this way.

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I used 20mm PVC as a return, and then T-pieces with a 20mm Tap attached.

20mm Hose was used from here.

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As Squiggle has suggested many times, I replaced the mdf shelves suggested with a 18mm Marine Ply. I had the pre-cut at Bunnings as I am rubbish at measuring and cutting.

Underneath each shelf I used structural pine 90x35mm pieces cut to length. They slot into the brackets relatively easily (with the help of a rubber mallet) and provide direct support for the tanks, as well as providing a space to attached hooks for lights, hoses, cords, etc.

 

Again, staggered picking up different essentials along the way.

Foam (and structural pine)

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Hoses

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The reason for only one hole being drilled in the tanks is that I decided to make my own rainbars from hose as inflow. The drilled hole would be for outflow only.

Rainbar (Holes drilled in main bar section. Have since used metal hose clamps to secure at joints for higher pressure flow)

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The out flow, I have used a stainless steel filter guard on the bulk head directly. Just to ensure no shrimplets decide to relocate to the sump. To connect securely, I wound heaps of Teflon tape on the end and then screwed into place, it formed its own thread this way. It is the long version (14cm long) so a great surface area for water to escape.

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These then connect to a T-Piece with a 20mm threaded nipple for hose to attach to.

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My main reason for using clear hosing so much in this setup is that we may be relocating in the near future. This setup will be easy to disconnect and reconnect at the other end, should relocating become a reality. (thinking acres while the prices are good!! :) )

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I needed to attach hooks to my structural pine supports. I am just using cheapies from the local supermarket, they don't need to hold a lot of weight.

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To predrill holes I have just used a nail cut down as a drill bit. Only required a small hole.

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I measured and marked positions then drilled. (you may see pen marks everywhere, lol)

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I am not too technical. I have used cable ties to hold many items in place in this setup. Easy to add and easy to cut to remove.

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For lighting I have decided to run with the Up Aqua U series (Planted) 3fts. I have been really pleased with their output on other systems. I currently only have two on hand but thankfully will have the others by the end of the coming week. :)up-aqua-u-series-p.thumb.jpg.d05a771d394

I have gone for the same sump type as last time. First section for K1, then flowing into second chamber with filter pad, Marine Pure spheres, Bakki Balls, Purigen and Polyfilter once established. I had the sump custom built for me this time.

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I will be using a 300W Aquael Gold Heater and a 200W Petworx Heater.

Return pump I have gone with a Tunze again as I have been pleased with the consistent operation of current one.

Sump1.thumb.jpg.ccff690065c0398f52457638I added an airstone in the K1 section for addition water movement, this way it keeps moving even when the return pump is disabled.

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I let the system run at 27 degrees for two weeks and have only just added some cycled K1 and Marine pure from other sump.

I added two new marine pure spheres, the difference in colour is kinda startling.

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In this last image I have just added the chiller, we are having a premature heatwave in Victoria this weekend so wanted to get it ready. The green tubing is the chiller. I run the chiller separate to main return and just chill the sump. This way return flow to the tanks is gradual cooling and it also makes it easier to add and remove from the system without affecting everything else. Seems to work well on current rack?!?

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Next is the soil. I have gone with the Shirakura Red bee Sand. I had to test it out.

 

It buffers to 6.5. I will be probably adding cherries and tigers in these tanks to (maybe some cross breeding fun).

Before adding the substrate, I sprinkle Benibachi Bee Max (the last of what I had), Mineral Powder and Boss Booster.

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I then added the substrate.

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I added water to just cover the substrate for the first two days, to let the bacteria settle throughout the soil layer.

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I then filled them up. I use the old soils bags floating on the surface of the water, to avoid stirring up the substrate in the process.

At this stage I added the Salty Shrimp GH+ to get the TDS up to 135.

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I then added the Ebi-line feeding bowls. I have set the soil so the tube is just above water line for easier feeding.

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I had also added BioSpon filters. I removed the mineral balls they come with and replaced with bakki balls. I have adjusted the outflows to be above waterline to increase surface agitation.

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I have also moved some of the moss ledges in before any algae develops on the glass.

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I have also added to each tank the following:

Minerals balls x 2

Benibachi Mineral Rock

Indian almond Leaves

Alder Cones

and also some Benibachi Fulvic Grain just as an additional buffer.

 

So after a few tweaks to get water flow even and to make sure no further leaks have been occurring, I felt I wanted to finish this off better than the previous rack. Again, inspired by the original Bossman (Dean). I have used Black corflute from Bunnings and cut to size, attached with Velcro for easy removal.

Has had the desired effect, even though not cut too neatly.

From this:

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To this:

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I have two tanks on bottom right hand side that are going to run separate from the sumped system. These are going to be fille din the next week and will be udated soon..

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Edited by newbreed
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Forgot to mention, the air is supplied from my IP40 blower. Using the irrigation tubing as shown in Squiggles DIY thread in the Library.

Just need to punch a hole and add taps as required. This system supplies over 40 air driven filters at present with no loss of pressure.

I have installed extra taps already for future uses by external breeder boxes etc.

 

Quite pleased with how its progressing. (Hope this hasn't been too wordy!!)

Nitrates around 5 and ammonia down to 0,25 on Thursdays test.

I ran a 35% waterchange today to remove excess. So now the last few days before another test.

I spent last night attaching bolbitis, narrow leaf java and windelov java fern to Cholla wood for each tank.

It's almost shrimp ready...............................

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Looking great dude! 

thanks @buck!! I am pretty chuffed with it!!

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This is awesome man. Grats. Cant wait to see how it goes.

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Still on the to do list:

- black bagrounds and insulating tanks and sump

- lights x 3

- uv steriliser

- decide on breeding projects and add shrimp (the fun part!)

 

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Thanks for sharing Jamie, truly brilliant.  Oh I so want another rack.

 

By the way can't we get  Benibachi Bee Max anymore ?

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I used 20mm PVC as a return, and then T-pieces with a 20mm Tap attached.

20mm Hose was used from here.

Very nice. How do you attach the tap to the tee pieces? Is the tap threaded at one end and barbed at the other?

Thanks for sharing!

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Very nice. How do you attach the tap to the tee pieces? Is the tap threaded at one end and barbed at the other?

Thanks for sharing!

I used a threaded T-piece and a threaded tap. Again, easy to disassemble. ?

 

By the way can't we get  Benibachi Bee Max anymore ?

The supplier is having fun with AQIS over labelling and has been going through the processes for a couple of months now. Unfortunately still no ETA on when it will be available again.

i will definitely place a post when it's on the market again.

So had some more time to play today, got the background on and ran final tests.

so much nicer with black background. I just used the plastic roll.

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no nitrites, ammonia and only minimal nitrates after waterchange the other day.

so in go the guinea pigs?!? 

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these are are from my pinto and Tibee tanks. Not super fussed on the genetics, just looking forward to blue and red colony to watch. 

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Looks aweaome jamie. Whats the diff betweem those lights and the Z series as i thouht they wers for the plants lol.

 

 

Cant wait until i own a house to setup a rack

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 5 October 2015 5:46:44 pm, OzShrimp said:

Looks aweaome jamie. Whats the diff betweem those lights and the Z series as i thouht they wers for the plants lol.

 

 

Cant wait until i own a house to setup a rack

Sorry for delay in responding @OzShrimp

the U series run a 2w led as opposed to the 0.5w in the ProZ.

there are less leds in total but spaced further apart to get a better spread of light.

personally I prefer the U series to the Z and the plant and biofilm growth is really impressive.

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Okay, so just realised I have not been good at updating this thread!

All shrimp have now been moved in and allocated their future homes (breeding programs).

I have closed down the CRS jungle and also have now emptied the original rack.

The CRS jungle is going to be fully reset with new benibachi soil and will be planted even heavier than previously. The original rack will now become home to guppy and Endler strains. Love their breeding and genetic potential!

List of occupants of Rack 2.0

1. Tibee F2

2. Tangerine tigers, The Queen and some Fire Red Cherries

3. Pure TB tank. Pandas, Shadows, WR, RR

4. Skunk Pinto line. Yellow Cherries. 

5. Red Rilis. Royal Blue Tiger male. PRL female. Red Bolt female.

6. Green Hulk potential males. SW mischling girls. Spotted pinto mischling girl. Blue Steel potential female. 

7. Spotted Head pinto Line. Blue bodied Orange Rili  

8. Bluebolts & Pandas from pinto lines. Choc cherries

9. CRS city

10. PRL x PBL bubs. PRL male.

as you can see from the mix, getting back into cherry shrimp after a decent break. And also starting some unusual cross breeding experiments.

Massive thanks to @ineke @Eshrimp @Disciple @Gbang for majorly helping in establishing my new colonies!!

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So much fun now the tanks are organised and everyone settled in! Now the next lot of fun can begin!!

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Also MASSIVE thanks to @AwwYea (the Queenmaker!!)

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we we are so blessed to have some brilliant breeders here is Australia! I am constantly stunned by my new tank inhabitants!! ???

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Great shrimp @newbreed thanks for sharing your pictures. 

I dont think i deserve a memtion here lol I didnt really contribute anything but thanks.

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On 3 November 2015 8:51:41 pm, Disciple said:

Great shrimp @newbreed thanks for sharing your pictures. 

I dont think i deserve a memtion here lol I didnt really contribute anything but thanks.

@Disciple You certainly deserve a mention mate! Thanks and inspiration make things happen. ??

 

On 4 November 2015 7:51:34 am, NoGi said:

Great pics, can't wait for Newbreed Rack 3.0 :excited:

@NoGi Please don't even joke about it!! Lol! I don't need anymore ideas!

Edited by newbreed
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  • 3 weeks later...

So almost two months in and it's all looking quite lush. Plenty of moss and new plant growth occurring. 

Thankfully first drops from berries girls who were moved in and this week saw the first drops that we berried on the rack.

I am finding it much more fun having the tanks only 40cm deep, instead of 60cm in first rack, as it makes it much easier to view and track all the shrimp and shrimplets.image.thumb.jpg.6f3fbe74aa173e53e6ef5c6aimage.thumb.jpg.5a8d89ebae8c84064087f447image.thumb.jpg.40ec649e4e425983f4203effimage.thumb.jpg.5fbc3a19ffca2a809c21c6bfimage.thumb.jpg.efde7b9812cb813802c96c9eimage.thumb.jpg.229c494e1aa0cd6696840923image.thumb.jpg.13bd2403e95d96b684145a4a

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Edited by newbreed
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